Applying an evolutionary algorithm, we first develop the morphology of a simulated passive dynamic bipedal walking device, able to walk down a shallow slope. Using the resulting morphology and adding minimal motor and sensory equipment, a neural controller is evolved, enabling the walking device to walk on a flat surface with minimal energy consumption. The applied evolutionary algorithm fixes ...

The focus of this work is a study of the passive dynamic walking of a kneeless biped robot with torso on inclined slopes. We show that under a simple PD control applied between the torso and the stance leg the biped robot converges at a stable gait cycle. we present recent results of trajectory sensitivity analysis to effeciently determine the stability of limit cycles for the biped robot.

Biomechanical studies of human walking reveal that compliance plays an important role at least in natural and smooth motions as well as for self-stabilization. Inspired by this, we present here the development of a new lower leg segment of the dynamic biped robot “RunBot”. This new lower leg segment features a compliant ankle connected to a flat foot. It is mainly employed to realize robust sel...

Legged robots have been studied and developed for a long time. The primary advantage of legged motion is that they can traverse terrains inaccessible to wheeled robots. Biped robots are probably the most complicated of legged robots. Despite their complexity there has been a substantial amount of work done in the field including different techniques that have been developed to model, design and...

The purpose of this paper is to show realization of passive walking of a biped robot Emu that is composed of one body and two legs. The semi-passive walking means that a biped robot walks passively on gentle descent accompanying with attitude control of the body. In the beginning of this paper, we outline the formulation for the passive and semi-passive walking. We analyze, next, stability of t...

The passive dynamics of bipedal limbs alone are sufficient to produce a walking motion, without need for control. Humans augment these dynamics with muscles, actively coordinated to produce stable and economical walking. Present robots using passive dynamics walk much slower, perhaps because they lack elastic muscles that couple the joints. Elastic properties are well known to enhance running g...

We present redirection techniques that support exploration of large-scale virtual environments (VEs) by means of real walking. We quantify to what degree users can unknowingly be redirected in order to guide them through VEs in which virtual paths differ from the physical paths. We further introduce the concept of dynamic passive haptics by which any number of virtual objects can be mapped to r...

This paper presents the gait generation and mechanical design of a humanoid robot based on a limit cycle walking method-Virtual Slope Control. This method is inspired by Passive Dynamic Walking. By shortening the swing leg, the robot walking on level ground can be considered as on a virtual slope. Parallel double crank mechanisms and elastic feet are introduced to the 5 DoF robot leg, to make t...

Today, commercially available ankle-foot prostheses are completely passive, and consequently, their mechanical properties remain fixed with walking speed and terrain. Conversely, normal human ankle stiffness varies within each gait cycle and also with walking speed [1][2][3]. Furthermore, some studies have indicated that one of the main functions of the human ankle is to provide adequate energy...